When thinking about inheritance in Mansfield Park, the issue of Tom and Edmond’s inheritance comes to mind. Because Tom is the eldest brother, he inherits more than Edmond. Nonetheless, Tom’s drinking and gambling problem further complicates the story. Mary wants to marry Edmond but she wants him to give up his dream of being a clergyman and wishes Tom’s death.
Aside from the material inheritance, Austen presents her characters with a lot of inherited ideas about classes, gender and marriage. Despite Austen’s presentation of powerful female figures in the novel, her female characters are still limited by the ideas of their age regarding women’s opportunities. The only opportunities available to women are through marriage and inheritance. Fanny, for example, is a smart character. Yet, she is limited by her class and family name. The only way for her to better her chances is by marriage. Fanny inherits a better education in her new “home” at Mansfield. By education I do not only mean what Fanny is taught but also what she teaches herself. Fanny learns on her own how to discipline herself, suppress her emotions and thoughts in order to fit in the system.
I would like to go back to Dr. Williamson’s comparison of Fanny to an immigrant. An immigrant comes to his/ her new home having certain memories and experiences from the old homeland. Similarly, Fanny decides what memories she needs to keep and what ideas to abandon. Her new position teaches her new skills to get along. Nonetheless, Fanny keeps her passion for life which is reflected in her love for taking walks, horse riding, and outdoor activities.
Austen shows us that inheritance is everything in the nineteenth century especially for a woman. A woman’s inherited status, family name, class, and property can change her life completely. Noteworthy, this inheritance could be due to marriage or birth. A woman during that time has only two chances, being born to a rich family or getting married to a rich man, like Lady Bertram who distinguished herself from her sisters, especially Mrs. Price by winning a husband with an inheritance.
Aishah Alreshoud
Inheritance in Mansfield Park
When thinking about inheritance in Mansfield Park, the issue of Tom and Edmond’s inheritance comes to mind. Because Tom is the eldest brother, he inherits more than Edmond. Nonetheless, Tom’s drinking and gambling problem further complicates the story. Mary wants to marry Edmond but she wants him to give up his dream of being a clergyman and wishes Tom’s death.
Aside from the material inheritance, Austen presents her characters with a lot of inherited ideas about classes, gender and marriage. Despite Austen’s presentation of powerful female figures in the novel, her female characters are still limited by the ideas of their age regarding women’s opportunities. The only opportunities available to women are through marriage and inheritance. Fanny, for example, is a smart character. Yet, she is limited by her class and family name. The only way for her to better her chances is by marriage. Fanny inherits a better education in her new “home” at Mansfield. By education I do not only mean what Fanny is taught but also what she teaches herself. Fanny learns on her own how to discipline herself, suppress her emotions and thoughts in order to fit in the system.
I would like to go back to Dr. Williamson’s comparison of Fanny to an immigrant. An immigrant comes to his/ her new home having certain memories and experiences from the old homeland. Similarly, Fanny decides what memories she needs to keep and what ideas to abandon. Her new position teaches her new skills to get along. Nonetheless, Fanny keeps her passion for life which is reflected in her love for taking walks, horse riding, and outdoor activities.
Austen shows us that inheritance is everything in the nineteenth century especially for a woman. A woman’s inherited status, family name, class, and property can change her life completely. Noteworthy, this inheritance could be due to marriage or birth. A woman during that time has only two chances, being born to a rich family or getting married to a rich man, like Lady Bertram who distinguished herself from her sisters, especially Mrs. Price by winning a husband with an inheritance.